Welcome to the Bank Street Children's Book Committee's (CBC) Searchable Best Books List, a tool designed to help educators, families, librarians, and others access developmentally appropriate and engaging books for young readers (ages birth - 18).
Our online Searchable Best Books List draws from the committee's annual Best Children's Books of the Year-beginning with the list of books published in 2000-with each featuring more than 600 high-quality titles for young readers.
To share feedback about the tool, please feel free to email bookcom@bankstreet.edu. To learn more about the CBC, visit https://www.bankstreet.edu/cbc/.
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I'll See You in Ijebu
Bunmi Emenanjo
Illustrator: Diana Ejaita
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
In Nigeria, Olu, whose family members celebrate each other's traditions together, helps her grandmother prepare the feast for Eid al-Adha. Vivid illustrations pulse with energy.
Bunmi Emenanjo
Illustrator: Diana Ejaita
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
In Nigeria, Olu, whose family members celebrate each other's traditions together, helps her grandmother prepare the feast for Eid al-Adha. Vivid illustrations pulse with energy.
I Miss You Most
Charlotte Cheng
Illustrator: Xindi Yan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
An Asian child recounts the many ways in which her grandfather touched her and her family's life, and how she will remember him. Soft digital illustrations.
Charlotte Cheng
Illustrator: Xindi Yan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
An Asian child recounts the many ways in which her grandfather touched her and her family's life, and how she will remember him. Soft digital illustrations.
In Praise of Mystery
Ada Limón
Illustrator: Peter Sís
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
These verses, chosen to be engraved on a NASA space probe, are a paean to the human spirit and its sublime connection to the wonders of nature. Rich, whimsical art.
Ada Limón
Illustrator: Peter Sís
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
These verses, chosen to be engraved on a NASA space probe, are a paean to the human spirit and its sublime connection to the wonders of nature. Rich, whimsical art.
Inside the Compost Bin
Melody Sumaoang Plan
Illustrator: Rồng Phạm and Vinh Nguyễn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Bold, realistic illustrations accompany this step-by-step explanation of what goes on inside a compost bin. A story to inspire gardeners, young and old. Substantial back matter.
Melody Sumaoang Plan
Illustrator: Rồng Phạm and Vinh Nguyễn
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Bold, realistic illustrations accompany this step-by-step explanation of what goes on inside a compost bin. A story to inspire gardeners, young and old. Substantial back matter.
Into the Goblin Market
Vikki VanSickle
Illustrator: Jensine Eckwall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A girl must rescue her sister from the clutches of a sinister goblin band. Rhyming couplets. Stark black-and-white ink art with red accents, digitally edited.
Vikki VanSickle
Illustrator: Jensine Eckwall
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A girl must rescue her sister from the clutches of a sinister goblin band. Rhyming couplets. Stark black-and-white ink art with red accents, digitally edited.
Is This a House for Hermit Crab?
Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A persistent hermit crab searches for a new home. Rhyming text. Vivid mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A persistent hermit crab searches for a new home. Rhyming text. Vivid mixed-media illustrations. Extensive back matter.
It Belongs to the World: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin
Lisa Katzenberger
Illustrator: Janina Gaudin (aka Miss Diabetes)
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Working tirelessly to find a drug to treat people with diabetes, Banting discovered insulin and then sold his patent for one dollar. Colorful informative illustrations. Back matter.
Lisa Katzenberger
Illustrator: Janina Gaudin (aka Miss Diabetes)
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Working tirelessly to find a drug to treat people with diabetes, Banting discovered insulin and then sold his patent for one dollar. Colorful informative illustrations. Back matter.
It's Powwow Time!
Martha Troian
Illustrator: Hawlii Pichette
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Bineshii anticipates the food, music, regalia, and community of the annual gathering of Indigenous groups as he joins the joyful dances. Full-color digital art.
Martha Troian
Illustrator: Hawlii Pichette
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Bineshii anticipates the food, music, regalia, and community of the annual gathering of Indigenous groups as he joins the joyful dances. Full-color digital art.
Just What to Do
Kyle Lukoff
Illustrator: Hala Tahboub
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A young child learns some strategies to support loved ones who are experiencing grief. Child-friendly digital illustrations.
Kyle Lukoff
Illustrator: Hala Tahboub
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A young child learns some strategies to support loved ones who are experiencing grief. Child-friendly digital illustrations.
Kevin and the Blackbirds
David Almond
Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Told to remain inside the monastery, young nature loving Kevin reaches out of his window befriending two blackbirds who proceed to build their nest in his hands. Realistic gouache illustrations.
David Almond
Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Told to remain inside the monastery, young nature loving Kevin reaches out of his window befriending two blackbirds who proceed to build their nest in his hands. Realistic gouache illustrations.
Last Stand, The
Antwan Eady
Illustrator: Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
When an aging Black farmer grows tired, his grandson takes over their produce stand. Bright stamped and digital illustrations. Author's note on the history of Black farmers.
Antwan Eady
Illustrator: Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
When an aging Black farmer grows tired, his grandson takes over their produce stand. Bright stamped and digital illustrations. Author's note on the history of Black farmers.
Last Zookeeper, The
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A steadfast construction robot rescues a menagerie of animals from rising floodwaters in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The wordless story unfolds through stunning, cinematic ink and watercolor art.
Aaron Becker
Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A steadfast construction robot rescues a menagerie of animals from rising floodwaters in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The wordless story unfolds through stunning, cinematic ink and watercolor art.
Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees
Michelle Schaub
Illustrator: Anne Lambelet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Poems in various styles accompanied by informative insets trace a family's cross-country tour of 14 historic tree sites. Illustrations capture colors and details of their settings. Poetic forms explained.
Michelle Schaub
Illustrator: Anne Lambelet
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Poems in various styles accompanied by informative insets trace a family's cross-country tour of 14 historic tree sites. Illustrations capture colors and details of their settings. Poetic forms explained.
Lefty: A Story That Is Not All Right
Mo Willems
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Mixed-media illustrations, including googly-eyed puppets made from photographs of the illustrator's own hands, narrate the history of left-handedness in society.
Mo Willems
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Mixed-media illustrations, including googly-eyed puppets made from photographs of the illustrator's own hands, narrate the history of left-handedness in society.
Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower, The
Lee Gee Eun
Illustrator: Lee Gee Eun
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
When a flower attaches itself to the tail of a grumpy tiger, it slowly shows the tiger the importance of kindness and friends. Digitally painted illustrations.
Lee Gee Eun
Illustrator: Lee Gee Eun
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
When a flower attaches itself to the tail of a grumpy tiger, it slowly shows the tiger the importance of kindness and friends. Digitally painted illustrations.
Leo's First Vote!
Christina Soontornvat
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A young boy learns about the voting process and its importance from a classroom mock presidential election and discussions with his dad and others. Lively, coloful illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Christina Soontornvat
Illustrator: Isabel Roxas
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A young boy learns about the voting process and its importance from a classroom mock presidential election and discussions with his dad and others. Lively, coloful illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Let Us March On!: James Weldon Johnson and the Silent Protest Parade
Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long
Illustrator: Xia Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
In New York City in 1917, the civil rights leader who wrote "Lift Every Voice and Sing" organized a silent protest march of 10,000 people in response to the East St. Louis Massacre. Expressive digital illustrations. Authors' notes.
Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long
Illustrator: Xia Gordon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
In New York City in 1917, the civil rights leader who wrote "Lift Every Voice and Sing" organized a silent protest march of 10,000 people in response to the East St. Louis Massacre. Expressive digital illustrations. Authors' notes.
Life of Song, A: The Story of Ella Jenkins
Ty-Juana Taylor
Illustrator: Jade Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
The author weaves together Jenkins's childhood love of music, especially jazz, and her life as a civil rights activist and renowned figure in children's music. Digital illustrations.
Ty-Juana Taylor
Illustrator: Jade Johnson
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
The author weaves together Jenkins's childhood love of music, especially jazz, and her life as a civil rights activist and renowned figure in children's music. Digital illustrations.
Little Like Magic, A
Sarah Kurpiel
Illustrator: Sarah Kurpiel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A girl who uses a wheelchair reluctantly goes out in the cold to watch ice-sculpting with her mother. The sweeping sculptures create indelible images in her mind. Delicate digital illustrations.
Sarah Kurpiel
Illustrator: Sarah Kurpiel
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A girl who uses a wheelchair reluctantly goes out in the cold to watch ice-sculpting with her mother. The sweeping sculptures create indelible images in her mind. Delicate digital illustrations.
Little Shrew
Akiko Miyakoshi
Illustrator: Akiko Miyakoshi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Three slice-of-life stories depict the daily routine of a sensible mammal as he experiences little changes that brighten his world. Gentle illustrations in pencil, charcoal, and gouache.
Akiko Miyakoshi
Illustrator: Akiko Miyakoshi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Three slice-of-life stories depict the daily routine of a sensible mammal as he experiences little changes that brighten his world. Gentle illustrations in pencil, charcoal, and gouache.
Lost & Found: Based on a True Story
Mei Yu
Illustrator: Mei Yu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A terrified young émigré from China uses a sketchbook to build her own English picture dictionary. Her Canadian classmates and teacher gamely help her acclimate. Lively illustrations. Mandarin glossary. Semi-autobiographical.
Mei Yu
Illustrator: Mei Yu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
A terrified young émigré from China uses a sketchbook to build her own English picture dictionary. Her Canadian classmates and teacher gamely help her acclimate. Lively illustrations. Mandarin glossary. Semi-autobiographical.
Luna Sisters and Their Amazing Lunafish, The (I Like to Read series)
Dan Yaccarino
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Two very different sisters put their quarrels aside to save their pet fish from an unscrupulous space entrepreneur. Graphic format illustrations.
Dan Yaccarino
Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Two very different sisters put their quarrels aside to save their pet fish from an unscrupulous space entrepreneur. Graphic format illustrations.
Map for Falasteen, A
Maysa Odeh
Illustrator: Aliaa Betawi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
During a school project on family origins, a girl cannot find her country on the map. Childlike illustrations filled with color and symbols of traditional Palestinian life. Author's note, bibliography.
Maysa Odeh
Illustrator: Aliaa Betawi
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
During a school project on family origins, a girl cannot find her country on the map. Childlike illustrations filled with color and symbols of traditional Palestinian life. Author's note, bibliography.
Maya Angelou Finds Her Voice
Connie Roop and Peter Roop
Illustrator: Noa Denmon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Following a traumatic assault, young Maya refused to speak for years, until the wise and patient Mrs. Flowers helped her find her words again. Artwork portrays the time period, capturing both joy and sorrow.
Connie Roop and Peter Roop
Illustrator: Noa Denmon
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
Following a traumatic assault, young Maya refused to speak for years, until the wise and patient Mrs. Flowers helped her find her words again. Artwork portrays the time period, capturing both joy and sorrow.
Meena's Saturday
Kusum Mepani
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
When South Asian Indian American Meena notices that the men at a weekly community dinner are served first even though the women do the work, she decides to change things. Mixed-media illustrations.
Kusum Mepani
Illustrator: Yasmeen Ismail
Ages: 6+
Published: 2024
When South Asian Indian American Meena notices that the men at a weekly community dinner are served first even though the women do the work, she decides to change things. Mixed-media illustrations.